News Update

Sunday, November 17th:The flowers on the Altar were given to the Glory of God and in honor of their parents and in celebrations of their children by Frank & Mary Speer.

Sunday, November 24th:

The flowers on the Altar were given to the Glory of God and in celebration of their anniversary by Father David and Madlyn Ferraro McGuiness.

Jenny Sills thanked everyone for their work and participation during the “ECW Food Fair”.

Heather Honeycutt, Pam Gibbons, and Father David attend the 198th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese and will be providing us with information about the ‘Harvest for Hospitality’ which will support the Episcopal Farm worker Ministry.

Tuesday, November 26th – Beginning at 10:00 am there will be a gathering at the Falcon Children’s Home for their annual ‘Harvest Train’. St. Stephens will present prizes for the 3 best gardens that we helped with this past summer. A meal will follow at 12:00 noon and all are invited to attend.

No office hours this week.

No Wednesday Evening Prayer Service this week.

There are names and addresses of our church people in the narthex for your use this holiday season and beyond.If you have an announcement or news for the church family, please contact Grace Zyla by NOON on Thursdays so it can go into the bulletin for church on Sundays. Otherwise, see Mary Speer before the beginning of the 11:00 am Eucharist on Sundays.

There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the hall of the Fellowship Hall for you to sign if you plan to attend the ‘Adult Christmas Party’, Friday, December 6th. You need to sign and pay by December 1st so the caterer will have a correct head count. (Menu: Marinated Chicken Breast, Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, Green Beans, Garden Salad, Red Velvet Cake & Beverage) It is $10.00 per person. Checks should be noted: ‘For Christmas Party’. Please bring a $5.00 value gift per person for the “Dirty Santa” gift exchange. Dale & Martha Wilson have graciously offered to provide music for us again this year.

St. Stephen’s is going to have a float in the Erwin and Dunn Christmas Parades. Everyone is invited to be in the parade and represent the Church.

Erwin Parade: Monday, December 2nd at 6:00 pm. ***Meet at Mark and Pam’s house at 5:00 pm to get on the float.

Dunn Parade: Saturday, December 7th at 3:00 pm. ***Meet at the float in Dunn at 2:00 pm. Pam will be getting more information about the location to you.

Make sure to dress warm!

***December 15th: Bishop Anne will be here for Confirmation followed by a covered dish luncheon.Please don’t forget “SAFE of Harnett County” and “Grace Chapel Church Food Bank” during this Thanksgiving holidays……Let us share our bounties with those in need.

“Take nothing for granted, for whenever you do, the joy of enjoying is lessened for you–

For we rob our own lives much more than we know, when we fail to respond or in any way show

Our thanks for the blessings that daily are ours…the warmth of the sun, the fragrance of flowers,

the beauty of twilight, the freshness of dawn, the coolness of dew on a green velvet lawn.

The kind little deeds so thoughtfully done, the favors of friends and the love of someone.

Unselfishly gives us in a myriad of ways, expecting no payment and no words of praise–

Oh, great is our loss when we no longer find a thankful response to things of this kind,

For the joy of enjoying and fullness of living are found in the heart that is filled with thanksgiving.”